New Delhi — Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is my elder brother, I admire him, Crown Prince Muhammad Bin Salman said here on Wednesday.

“We (me and PM Modi) are brothers. PM Modi is my elder brother. I am his younger brother, I admire him,” the Crown Prince said after receiving a ceremonial welcome at the Rashtrapati Bhavan (presidential palace).

Speaking after the ceremonial reception, the Crown Prince said, “The relationship between India and Arabian Peninsula, which Saudi Arabia represent, about 80%, goes back to thousands of year in history. Even before the history was written, the relationship between India and the Arabian Peninsula has been in our DNA.”

Standing alongside President Ram Nath Kovind and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Saudi leader added, “Today, we want to be sure this relation is maintained and improved for the sake of both countries. With the leadership of President and PM, I am are sure we can create good things for India and Saudi Arabia.”

Highlighting the role of the Indian diaspora in building the country, the Crown Prince said, “Since we remember ourselves, Indian people are friends and part of building Saudi Arabia in the past 70 years.”

Crown Prince Muhammad Bin Salman arrived in India on Tuesday evening and was received by Modi who broke the protocol to receive him. — Agencies